U.S. patent application number 11/075554 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-14 for vehicle body mount assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to BASF Corporation. Invention is credited to Daniel G. Dickson, William G. Dieter, Anand Huprikar, Thomas E. St. Henry.
Application Number | 20060202515 11/075554 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36970055 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060202515 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dickson; Daniel G. ; et
al. |
September 14, 2006 |
Vehicle body mount assembly
Abstract
A mount assembly having a first carrier and a first insulator
disposed about the first carrier for isolating movement of a frame
relative to a vehicle body in a first direction. A second carrier
engages the first carrier for coupling the second carrier to the
first carrier. A second insulator is disposed about the second
carrier for further insolating the movement of the frame relative
to the vehicle body in the first direction. A sleeve is disposed
about both of the first and second carriers and is coupled to the
first carrier. The sleeve is formed of an elastomeric material for
isolating movement of the frame relative to the vehicle body in a
second direction transverse to the first direction such that the
isolation of movement about the first and second directions are
accomplished by separate and independent components of the
assembly.
Inventors: |
Dickson; Daniel G.; (West
Bloomfield, MI) ; Huprikar; Anand; (Novi, MI)
; St. Henry; Thomas E.; (Ann Arbor, MI) ; Dieter;
William G.; (Taylor, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BASF AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
CARL-BOSCH STRASSE 38, 67056 LUDWIGSHAFEN
LUDWIGSHAFEN
69056
DE
|
Assignee: |
BASF Corporation
|
Family ID: |
36970055 |
Appl. No.: |
11/075554 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/190.07 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60G 99/004 20130101;
B62D 24/02 20130101; B60G 99/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/190.07 |
International
Class: |
B60J 7/00 20060101
B60J007/00 |
Claims
1. A mount assembly for use with a vehicle having a frame and a
vehicle body, said assembly comprising: a first carrier having a
first flange and a first tube and adapted to be coupled to the
frame of the vehicle; a first insulator disposed about said first
tube and coupled to said first flange of said first carrier; a
second carrier having a second flange and a second tube with said
second tube engaging said first tube; a second insulator disposed
about said second tube and coupled to said second flange of said
second carrier; and a sleeve disposed about both of said first and
second tubes and coupled to said first flange with said sleeve
being formed of an elastomeric material
2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sleeve includes
a first end coupled to said first flange with a second end coupled
to said second flange to sandwich said sleeve between said flanges
for preventing translation of forces into said sleeve during said
movement of the frame relative to the vehicle body in a first
direction and for isolating movement of the frame relative to the
vehicle body in a second direction transverse to the first
direction such that said isolation of movement about said first and
second directions are accomplished by separate and independent
components of said assembly.
3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is
formed of a polyurethane elastomer.
4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said sleeve is
formed of thermoplastic polyurethane.
5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is
formed of rubber.
6. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and
second carriers are formed of a metallic material.
7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said second tube of
said second carrier is telescopingly received within said first
tube of said first carrier for coupling said second carrier to said
first carrier.
8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said sleeve
surrounds said first tube of said first carrier.
9. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and
second insulators are formed of an elastomeric material.
10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first and
second insulators are formed of micro-cellular polyurethane.
11. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a cup
formed of an elastomeric material abutting said second flange of
said second carrier with said second insulator abutting said cup
for coupling said second insulator to said second flange.
12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said cup includes
a wall at least partially surrounding said second insulator for
further coupling said second insulator to said second flange.
13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said second
insulator includes a ledge extending outwardly therefrom and said
wall of said cup defines a flange for selectively engaging said
ledge during excessive movement of the frame relative to the
vehicle body in a first direction.
14. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said cup includes
a plurality of retaining tabs engaging said second flange to
interconnect said cup to said second carrier.
15. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 further including an
extension formed of an elastomeric material abutting said first
flange of said first carrier with said first insulator abutting
said extension for coupling said first insulator to said first
flange.
16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said extension is
integrally connected to and extends from said sleeve.
17. An assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said extension and
said sleeve are formed of a thermoplastic polyurethane.
18. An assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said extension
includes a plurality of retaining tabs engaging said first flange
to interconnect said extension to said first carrier.
19. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first end of
said sleeve abuts said first flange and said second end of said
sleeve abuts a portion of said cup to sandwich said sleeve between
said first and second carriers.
20. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first
insulator abuts said first flange.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The subject invention relates to a mount assembly for a
vehicle having a frame and a vehicle body wherein movements of the
frame relative to the vehicle body in various directions are
isolated by separate and independent components of the mount
assembly.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Mount assemblies for vehicles are well known in the art.
Examples of such assemblies are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,809,427;
4,286,777; and 6,361,096. Each of these assemblies include upper
and lower insulators for coupling a frame of the vehicle to a
vehicle body. The insulators are typically formed of an elastomeric
material such as rubber. Washers or flanges are provided on outward
surfaces of the insulators and a fastener interconnects the washers
or flanges to the vehicle body for sandwiching the insulators
between the washers or flanges and for coupling the frame to the
vehicle body. A metallic tube or sleeve can be disposed between the
washers or flanges to provide structural support and to provide a
passageway for the fastener.
[0005] The prior art mount assemblies, with the above described
characteristics, can operate effectively. However, this
construction has limitations. The forces and movement of the frame
relative to the vehicle body are frequently transmitted in multiple
directions. In particular, the movement of the frame relative to
the vehicle body can be transverse to the general plane of the
frame and vehicle body, i.e., vertical. Further, the movement of
the frame relative to the vehicle body can be parallel with the
general plane of the frame and vehicle body, i.e., horizontal or
fore, aft, and/or lateral. Of course, the movement of the frame
relative to the vehicle body is also frequently some combination
thereof. Each insulator of the prior art mount assemblies are
designed to isolate movement in both directions. In other words,
the vertical movement and the fore, aft, and/or lateral movement is
intertwined in these insulators. The design of each of the
insulators is therefore a compromise between the optimal design for
isolating vertical movement and the optimal design for isolating
fore, aft, and/or lateral movement. Hence, the designs of the prior
art mount assemblies cannot be finely tuned and the versatility of
these mount assemblies is limited.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to develop a mount
assembly that can have greater flexibility, can be tuned to meet
optimal design criteria, and continues to adequately isolate
movement of a frame relative to a vehicle body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
[0007] A mount assembly for use with a vehicle having a frame and a
vehicle body. The assembly comprises a first carrier having a first
flange and a first tube and adapted to be coupled to the frame of
the vehicle. A first insulator is disposed about the first tube and
coupled to the first flange of the first carrier. A second carrier
has a second flange and a second tube with the second tube engaging
the first tube. A second insulator is disposed about the second
tube and coupled to the second flange of the second carrier. A
sleeve is disposed about both of the first and second tubes and is
coupled to the first flange with the sleeve being formed of an
elastomeric material.
[0008] Accordingly, the subject invention isolates movement in
multiple directions using separate and independent components. The
design of the subject invention creates a mount assembly having
greater design flexibility wherein the vertical, fore, aft, and/or
lateral spring rates of the mount assembly can be independently
tuned to meet optimal design criteria.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mount assembly in
accordance with the subject invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the mount
assembly;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mount assembly;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative mount
assembly in accordance with the subject invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the mount assembly
of FIG. 4; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the mount assembly of
FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate
like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a mount
assembly is generally shown at 10 in FIGS. 1-3. The mount assembly
10 is shown in a rest state in FIGS. 1 and 3. In the preferred
embodiment, the mount assembly 10 is for use with a vehicle having
a frame 12 and a vehicle body 14. Both the frame 12 and vehicle
body 14 include apertures 16, 18 that will be discussed in greater
detail below. For illustrative purposes, only a small fragment of
the frame 12 and vehicle body 14 are shown in the Figures. The
frame 12 and vehicle body 14 can be of any suitable design or
configuration without deviating from the scope of the subject
invention.
[0017] The mount assembly 10 includes a first carrier 20 having a
first flange 22 and a first tube 24. The first carrier 20 is
adapted to be coupled to the frame 12 of the vehicle with the first
tube 24 extending through the aperture 16 in the frame 12. The
first carrier 20 is preferably formed of a metallic material such
as steel. The mount assembly 10 also includes a second carrier 26
having a second flange 28 and a second tube 30 with the second tube
30 engaging the first tube 24 for joint coupling the second carrier
26 to the first carrier 20 and to the frame 12 of the vehicle. The
second tube 30 also extends through the aperture 16 in the frame 12
and the second carrier 26 is also preferably formed of a metallic
material such as steel. Preferably, the second tube 30 of the
second carrier 26 is telescopingly received within the first tube
24 of the first carrier 20 for coupling the second carrier 26 to
the first carrier 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the first
carrier 20 is located at a top of the assembly 10 with the first
flange 22 above the frame 12 and the second carrier 26 is located
at a bottom of the assembly 10 with the second flange 28 below the
frame 12.
[0018] A first insulator 32 is disposed about the first tube 24 and
coupled to the first flange 22 of the first carrier 20 for
preferably isolating movement of the frame 12 relative to the
vehicle body 14 in a first direction D.sub.1. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, the first insulator 32 abuts the first flange 22.
A second insulator 34 is disposed about the second tube 30 and
coupled to the second flange 28 of the second carrier 26 for
further insolating the movement of the frame 12 relative to the
vehicle body 14 in the first direction D.sub.1. The second
insulator 34 can include a ledge 36 extending outwardly therefrom.
The purpose of the ledge 36 will be discussed in detail below.
Preferably, the first 32 and second 34 insulators are formed of an
elastomeric material. Even more preferably, the first 32 and second
34 insulators are formed of micro-cellular polyurethane.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 12 of the vehicle is
displaceable relative to the carriers 20, 26 and vehicle body 14
along a line of travel L. The first direction D.sub.1, as indicated
by the arrow D.sub.1, is substantially parallel to the line of
travel L. As orientated in the Figures, the first direction D.sub.1
is in a vertical direction. It should be appreciated that the
nomenclature of the frame 12 being displaced relative to the
vehicle body 14 is purely for descriptive purposes and depending
upon the point of reference, the vehicle body 14 could be
displaceable relative to the frame 12.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a sleeve 38 is disposed about
both of the first 24 and second 30 tubes and is coupled to the
first flange 22. At a minimum, the sleeve 38 extends from a first
end across the aperture 16 in the frame 12 to a second end. In the
embodiment illustrated, the first end is coupled to the first
flange 22 and the second end coupled to the second flange 28. The
sleeve 38 is therefore sandwiched between the flanges 22, 28 for
preventing translation of forces into the sleeve 38 during the
movement of the frame 12 relative to the vehicle body 14 in the
first direction D.sub.1. The sleeve 38 is formed of an elastomeric
material for isolating movement of the frame 12 relative to the
vehicle body 14 in a second direction D.sub.2 transverse to the
first direction D.sub.1. It should be appreciated that the sleeve
38 may be of any suitable height or configuration so long as the
frame 12 can be adequately isolated relative to the vehicle body 14
in the second direction. The second direction D.sub.2, as indicated
by the arrow D.sub.2, is substantially transverse to the line of
travel L. As orientated in the Figures, the second direction
D.sub.2 is in a fore/aft or lateral direction. Preferably, the
sleeve 38 is formed of a polyurethane elastomer. Even more
preferably, the sleeve 38 is formed of thermoplastic or thermoset
polyurethane. Alternatively, the sleeve 38 could be formed of
rubber or any other suitable elastomeric material.
[0021] As best shown in FIG. 3, the first 32 and second 34
insulators remain disposed above and below the frame 12 and do not
extend through the aperture 16 of the frame 12. Hence, only the
first 24 and second 30 tubes and the sleeve 38 extend through the
aperture 16. The sleeve 38 preferably surrounds the first tube 24
of the first carrier 20 such that the sleeve 38 operates as another
insulator disposed between the tubes 24, 30 of the carriers 20, 26
and the frame 12 independently from the first 32 and second 34
insulators. The isolation of movement about the first D.sub.1 and
second D.sub.2 directions are therefore accomplished by separate
and independent components of the mount assembly 10. Of course,
angular movement of the frame 12 relative to the line of travel L
will be isolated by a combination of the first 32 and second 34
insulators and the sleeve 38. Although the sleeve 38 is shown
having a substantially tubular configuration, the sleeve 38 may be
shaped into a variety of configurations to further enhance the
versatility of the mount assembly 10. The concept of the subject
mount assembly 10 de-couples the insulators 32, 34 and the sleeve
38 such that a variety of different materials and configurations
can be used to obtain a wide range of desired performances in any
direction.
[0022] A fastener 40 interconnects the first carrier 20 to the
second carrier 26 and secures both carriers 20, 26 to the vehicle
body 14. Through the interconnection of the first 20 and second 26
carriers by the fastener 40, the first 22 and second 28 flanges
sandwich the sleeve 38 therebetween such that the vehicle body 14,
first 20 and second 26 carriers, sleeve 38, and fastener 40 move in
unison with the movement of the vehicle body 14 relative to the
frame 12. The fastener 40 is illustrated as a bolt 42 having a nut
44 wherein the nut 44 is threaded onto the bolt 42 on an opposing
side of the vehicle body 14. A washer 46 is provided at a top of
the fastener 40 adjacent the vehicle body 14 and at a bottom of the
fastener 40 adjacent the second carrier 26. It should be
appreciated that the fastener 40 may be of any suitable design or
configuration. Also, the bolt 42 and nut 44 could be inverted such
that the nut 44 abuts the vehicle body 14.
[0023] In the preferred embodiment, a cup 48, which is formed of an
elastomeric material, abuts the second flange 28 of the second
carrier 26. The cup 48 includes a wall 50 extending away from the
second flange 28 that defines an abutment end 52. The second
insulator 34 preferably abuts the cup 48 for coupling the second
insulator 34 to the second flange 28. The wall 50 at least
partially surrounds the second insulator 34 for further coupling
the second insulator 34 to the second flange 28. The cup 48 is
configured to provide a press fit between the cup 48 and the second
insulator 34 such that the second insulator 34 remains attached to
the cup 48 during installation of the second carrier 26. The
abutment end 52 of the wall 50 selectively engages the ledge 36 of
the second insulator 34 during excessive movement of the frame 12
relative to the vehicle body 14 in the first direction D.sub.1.
This engagement further isolates movement of the frame 12 relative
to the vehicle body 14. It should be appreciated that the wall 50
of the cup 48 could be eliminated without deviating from the scope
of the subject invention.
[0024] The cup 48 includes a plurality of retaining tabs 54
engaging the second flange 28 to interconnect the cup 48 to the
second carrier 26. The cup 48 will therefore remain secured to the
second carrier 26 during installation of the second carrier 26 to
the assembly 10. The cup 48 is preferably formed of a thermoplastic
or thermoset polyurethane. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the
first end of the sleeve 38 abuts the first flange 22 and the second
end of the sleeve 38 abuts a portion of the cup 48 to sandwich the
sleeve 38 between the first 20 and second 26 carriers.
Specifically, the second end of the sleeve 38 abuts the portion of
the cup 48 adjacent the first tube 24.
[0025] Turning to FIGS. 4-6, an alternative embodiment of the mount
assembly 10 is shown. This embodiment includes a number of the same
features as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. In particular, this
embodiment includes similar carriers 20, 26, insulators 32, 34,
fastener 40, and cup 48. The sleeve 38 is also substantially
similar. However, an extension 56, which is formed of an
elastomeric material, abuts the first flange 22 of the first
carrier 20. Preferably, the extension 56 is integrally connected to
and extends from the sleeve 38. The extension 56 has a contour
substantially similar to the configuration of the first flange 22.
The extension 56 and sleeve 38 are also preferably formed of a
common homogenous material, such as thermoplastic or thermoset
polyurethane. The extension 56 includes a plurality of retaining
tabs 56 engaging the first flange 22 to interconnect the extension
56 to the first carrier 20. As such, the extension 56 and sleeve 38
remain attached to the first carrier 20 during installation of the
first carrier 20 into the assembly 10. In this embodiment, the
first insulator 32 abuts the extension 56 for coupling the first
insulator 32 to the first flange 22.
[0026] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner,
and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used
is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
of limitation. As is now apparent to those skilled in the art, many
modifications and variations of the present invention are possible
in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood
that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
* * * * *